Redfield, SD-Frank H. Christian, 92, of Redfield died Thursday, January 19, 2012 at the Redfield Community Memorial Hospital. It is his wishes to be cremated with no service.
Inurnment will be in Burdette Cemetery near Wessington, SD.
Frank Henderson Christian, son of Harry and Mary (Winans) Christian was born June 24, 1919 near Wessington, SD. He graduated from Redfield Public School with the class of 1937. He then served in the United States Army until 1943 when he was honorably discharged.
He was united in marriage to Neva Phifer on September 23, 1938 at Huron, SD. Frank worked as a general contractor and built numerous homes and buildings in the Redfield area. In 1958 he took a course at South Dakota State University to become an aerial applicator. He ran Christians Spray Service with his wife’s help until 1981 when they retired. He had a longtime interest in aviation and flying airplanes, reading and traveling to California for the winter.
Frank is survived by one daughter, Karon (Richard) Boyd of Zell, SD, five grandchildren, Cheryl Kaufman, of Mount Vernon, WA, Rebecca Fox of Anacortes, WA, Donald R. Christian of Sedro-Woolley, WA, Joel Boyd of Watertown, SD and Rochelle Noboa of New York, 11 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.
He was preceded him in death by his parents, wife, Neva (1998), daughter, Jacquelin Ward, son, Donald E. Christian, son-in-law, Bill Ward, daughter-in-law, Arlene Christian and brothers and sisters, Ruth, Elmo, Maurice, Alys, Burton, LeRoy, Harry Jr., Dorothy, Donald, Bernice, Lewis, Warren, Kathleen and Raymond.
Carlsen Funeral Home and Crematory of Aberdeen has been entrusted with arrangements.
I was just out of the Navy and visiting Redfield when all of a sudden a roar was heard and a low flying aircraft was seen. I inquired as to who that was and my friend replied, ” Thats Frank the local crop duster.” In a few minutes I was introduced to Frank and as the old saying goes….the rest is history. Frank provided me with a job, a car, a place to live, and much knowledge about the aerial application business. I will always have many fond memories of Frank & Neva.
My condolences to the Christian family.
Art Whitenack
Center Point Iowa
Son of Clyde and Muriel Johnsen
Frank built my parent’s home during the 1960′s.
My sympathy goes out to his family.